Seiko 5 Sports HUF Collaboration Limited Edition
When Seiko Met Cinema: A Selection of Holiday Movie-Themed Watches and More
Since the holidays are filled with nostalgia (in the best way), we thought this gift guide, inspired by movie memories and unforgettable timepieces, would be just the ticket this year.
By Rhonda Riche
Editor-At-Large
The holidays can be stressful. Call me a Grinch, but one of my favorite ways to relax is to hide out from friends and family in a movie theater or chill out on the couch with a marathon of my favorite flicks (a viewing of How the Grinch Stole Christmas is an annual tradition in my house).
All that said, when figuring out what to gift the loved ones I’m avoiding, I can’t help but be influenced by the silver screen and by watches (because, of course, every road leads back to timepieces). With Seiko being a go-to, accessibly priced brand, they have a big influence on the presents I choose for those on my “Nice” list.
For the watch lovers in your life, here are a few standouts from the powerhouse Japanese brand that are perfect for gifting this holiday. Plus, I’ve included some of my other favorite objects for the season.
Seiko Limited Edition 5 Sports HUF
Hands down, one of the greatest holiday movies is Elf. In this timeless comedy, Buddy the Elf’s human brother, Michael, asks for a real HUF skateboard, and (spoiler alert) Santa delivers. This season, grown-ups can recreate the childhood excitement of getting a brand-new deck with a cool and colorful watch.
That is because the Seiko 5 Sports collection recently added a second limited edition model made in collaboration with the beloved skate and lifestyle brand HUF to its lineup, the 42.5mm SRPL33.
The design is inspired by a 1960s automatic watch, while HUF developed the wild color scheme. The crown is decorated with a special “HUF” logo, and the caseback is colored with vivid HUF green.
Seiko Limited Edition Presage Cocktail Time STAR BAR Limited Edition
Although the 2003 film Lost in Translation is not technically a holiday flick, it does capture the sense of cheer and melancholy that the season can bring. And Bill Murray did star in the underrated holiday movie Scrooged, so I propose we start a new tradition: Murray Christmas.
Like the setting of Lost in Translation, these two Seiko Presage STAR BAR models are inspired by the beautiful scenery of Tokyo by night. The dial of each watch mixes a delicate pattern with gray layers and gold-colored hands and indices to evoke an original cocktail devised by STAR BAR owner Hisashi Kishi.
The new design is offered in two sizes – the 40.5mm SRPK93 and the 30.3mm SRE015 – to suit individual wearer’s wrists.
Seiko Victory Limited Edition Marathon Alarm Clock
Let’s continue, for a moment, with the spirit of a very Murray Christmas. Like Lost in Translation, the film Groundhog Day is a bit of a stretch for a holiday movie. Groundhog Day is not a December holiday, but the film has snowmen, ice sculpting, and skating, plus it also stars Bill Murray.
The cinematic centerpiece of Groundhog Day is none other than the infamous clock, a digital flip clock, to be exact. However, we think your friends and loved ones will appreciate the sleeker style of the Victory Limited Edition Marathon Alarm Clock’s LED beauty.
This bright yellow buzzer also offers a countdown timer, stopwatch, automatic alarm that stops within five minutes, alarm with snooze function, calendar, and dial light, making it the perfect travel alarm for those who are jet-setting for the holidays.
Rowing Blazers Paddington Bear Duffel Coat
If you’re gathering with kith and kin this month, you’ll probably want some family-friendly fare to screen. Paddington 2, hands down, is the best kid’s movie to come out in the last ten years.
Our favorite purveyors of preppy style, Rowing Blazers, has just introduced a capsule collection of Paddington Bear branded gear. There are rugged rugbies, piqué polos, intarsia-knit cashmere sweaters, awesome oxford shirts, and super French terry sweats.
Still, the standout piece is a royal blue hooded wool duffle coat straight out of the beloved Peruvian explorer’s own closet.
Crown Affair the Hair Towel
You know that scene in the holiday classic Home Alone where Kevin is washing up in his parents’ bathroom? One thing lacking from his beauty regime is a nice towel to dry his hair.
Getting gussied up during the holiday fray isn’t easy, especially if you’re competing with a large family for bathroom time. That’s why we’d be overjoyed to find a Crown Affair towel in our stocking.
This staple is made from a custom blend of microfibers to gently absorb water from your strands and speed up air drying, thus preventing frizz and breakage (which is especially crucial in dry, winter air).
Toast Zig Zag Wool Blanket
Forget about Netflix and chill; how about Netflix and warm? A cozy wool blanket, like this zigzag-patterned throw from British lifestyle brand Toast, will keep you toasty as you drink eggnog and nosh on popcorn while watching a Christmassy rom-com like Love, Actually.
The holiday classic Love, Actually is a bit of a tearjerker, but this navy and caramel-colored fringed blanket will make its recipient feel good for many reasons. It’s made from thoughtfully sourced lambswool, traceable to specific sheep farms in New Zealand, and made by a family-run business that dates to 1879 (Fun Fact: Seiko started up only a few years later in 1881).
